3 writers. Same fears. Which one would you rather be?

Each writer spends a lot of time anxious and confused. Still, is there one writing life you’d choose over the others?

© Dan Meyers at Unsplash

Writer #1

70% fear.

Finish ratio: 6 out of 25 attempts. (24%)

Share ratio: 2 out of 6 completed works. (33%)

Successes: 1

So-so: 0

Flops: 1

This writer expects the writing process to feel good. They wait for the dazzling muse to strike, instead of creating the conditions where discovery and “luck” happen through consistent preparation.

They think feeling frequently lost is a message from the future: They don’t have what it takes, so why keep trying?

Writer #2

65% fear.

Finish rate: 40 out of 67 attempts. (59.7%)

Share rate: 30 out of 40. (75%)

Successes: 12

So-so: 10

Flops: 8

This writer knows writing is a slog not for the faint of heart. They love the process of deep-sea diving for pearls, then bringing them back to the shore. Sometimes they feel envious of other more successful writers.

They know they still have a lot to learn, but think, I’m going to keep trying and learning from the best.

Writer #3

60% fear.

Finish rate: 120 out of 150 attempts. (80%)

Share rate: 110 out of 120. (75%)

Successes: 25

So-so: 35

Flops: 50 (!)

This writer is deeply tuned in to their own voice. They have learned to trust themselves, stop trying to sound like other writers or chase approval. Their failure rate is high. Even success has brought more stress and pressure.

But daily, they think, I’m so lucky! All I have to do is follow that faint light that lets me know I’m onto something, and see where it takes me….

So how about you?

One flop or 50?

Constructive feedback, or even disinterest from the market?

Play the long game. Write for the experience itself.

It gets easier the more you do it.